A 3-year-old girl from Houston and a New Orleans man are now dead after a car crash in Jefferson Davis Parish. The driver and another passenger received minor to moderate injuries.
It happened around 10:11 p.m. last night, on I-10 near Lacassine, LA.
Sgt. James Anderson, a spokesperson for Louisiana State Police, says the crash happened when a rear tire of the victims’ 1998 Nissan Pathfinder deflated, causing the SUV to travel into the center median and roll over.
That’s when 36-year-old Luis Amilcar Trochez-Ramos and 3-year-old Marbella Funez were ejected from the vehicle.
Anderson says Trochez-Ramos died at the scene and Funez was airlifted to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital where she later died.
The driver, 27-year-old Cintia Funez of Houston, was flown to a Lafayette hospital with moderate injuries. The front seat passenger, 29-year-old Heidy Brizuela of Houston, received minor injuries. Both were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Troopers obtained a routine toxicology sample from Cinita Funez. State Police are still investigating the crash.
Sgt. Anderson wants to remind drivers that “every Louisiana State Police troop location serves as a child passenger safety fitting station. Troopers are available to inspect car seats, ensure proper installation, and answer questions free of charge. For more information please visit our web site, www.lsp.org.”
Troop D, which covers Calcasieu, Cameron, Allen, Jefferson Davis, and Beauregard Parishes, has investigated 12 fatal crashes this year that have resulted in 13 deaths.
